2020 Making Connections Conference

Welcome to the 2020 Making Connections Virtual Conference & Resource Fair

We are so glad you are here with us and hope you will find all of the information provided both helpful and encouraging! Below you will find a welcome video from our Executive Director, Tim Siegel, and our Director of Family Services, Ronda Johnson. Following their videos, we have provided a PDF download of the program in the event that you would like to access that. Finally, you will be able to view our sponsors, nonprofit partners, stories of hope and the presentations. If you have any questions or issues accessing anything please email us at christina@teamlukehopeforminds.org and we would be happy to assist you.

Sponsors

Please take a minute and check out our event sponsors. This conference is made possible due to their generosity and we appreciate them more than they know. Click any of the sponsor names or levels below to learn more about our 2020 sponsors. Our sponsors are also resources for you and your family.

Platinum Sponsor – The Austin Center for Developing Minds

Diamond Sponsor – Neufit

Diamond Sponsor – Child Neurology Consultants of Austin

Diamond Sponsor – Shedlight

Diamond Sponsor – Cook Children’s

Silver Sponsors – A&P Quality Care Medical & Infinity Specialty Services

Speaker Sponsors – Multiple

Bronze Sponsor – Nexus Children’s Hospital

Partner Sponsors – Freedom Concepts, Plasticity Centers, and Rocky Mountain Regenerative Medicine

Nonprofit Sponsors

Below you will find a number of nonprofit sponsors that might be a valuable resource to you and your child. We encourage you to check them out when you have time. As always, we strive to be a trusted partner of yours and hope you will contact Ronda if there is any way that we can assist you and your child. You can reach her at ronda@teamlukehopeforminds.org.

Stories of Hope

There is nothing quite like having the opportunity to visit with other parents, caregivers, and brain injury survivors about their injury and subsequent journey. We are excited to share with you the stories of several children and families that we have had the privilege to serve and support. Click here to learn more about their injury, journey with a brain injury and even contact them for information, guidance or encouragement.

Presentations

‘3-Systems’ Brain Injury Physical Therapy
Jonathan Parr, PT, CSCS, CBIS, EP

ABA & Managing Challenging Behavior
Brittany Garza & Marissa Weiler

Acupuncture for Brain Health
Dr. Daniel Finley

Brain Injury and Treating the Whole Child
Robert J. Doman Jr.

Compassionate Use Program – Medical Cannabis in Texas
Christina Burke

Concussion in the Pediatric Population
Kate Labiner, MD

Did I train for this? A neurologist blind-sided by his son’s traumatic brain injury
Michael Reardon, M.D.

Disruption & Dysregulation
Stacey Gesinger, LMFT

Forget the “New Normal”: An Introduction To Empowered Neuro-Rehabilitation
Cavin Balaster

Guardianship – From Start to Finish
Attorney Boyd Handley

Harch HBOT for Pediatric Brain Injury, Why Precision Dosing Protocols Are Imperative
Paul G. Harch 

Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity to Restore Physical Function
Garrett Salpeter

How Canine Companions Assistance Dogs Can Help Children with Brain Injuries
Kate Incremona

How To Feed A Brain Nutrition for Optimal Brain Function and Repair
Cavin Balaster

Intensive Model of Therapy
Emily Norlock PT, DPT

Laser Therapy in Functional Neurology Setting
Dr. Brandon Crawford

Managing Challenging Behaviors in Crisis and Calm
Richard O. Temple, Ph. D.

Medicaid Waivers – Texas
Elizabeth Tucker

Mindfulness and Meditation
Bianca Bentzin, LMFT-Associate

Music Therapy and TBI
Grace Gomez, MT-BC, NMT

Orthopedics and the Injured Brain
Dr. John Roaten

Pyramid of Neuro-Rehabilitation
Emily Kalambaheti, DC, DACNB, FACFN

Rehabilitation: The Long Road to Recovery
Kristen Taylor

Returning to School After Brain Injury
M. Cullen Gibbs, PhD

Spasticity Management: A Physiatrist’s Perspective
Dr. Patrick Spicer

Special Needs Planning – Key Steps to Achieving Financial Success
Allison Schaberg

Speech Generating Devices and TBI’s
Kirstin White, B.S.-SLP

Spero Rehabs Fundamental Focus on Recovery to Foster True Functional Independence
Brooke Aarvig, OTR/L, CBIS

Stem Cell Therapy for Neurologic Injury
Vassily T. Eliopoulos, M.D.

The Blueprint for Brain Recovery
Dr. Brandon Crawford

Testing and Supporting Nutrients for the Brain
Pam Machemehl Helmly

The Effect of MNRI Reflex Neuromodulation Program on Neurosensorimotor Improvement in Individuals with Diagnosed TBI Compared with Results of QEEG Brain Mapping and Neurotransmitters Analysis
Andrey Boldyrev

The Well Oiled Brain
Beverly Boytim

Tips for Launching Your Special Needs Teen into Adulthood
Allison Schaberg & Dr. Lindsay Asawa

Transitioning Into Adulthood (Texas focused)
Lindsay Heath, Ph.D., LSSP, CBIS & Bruce Bloom, M Ed, CRC, CAS, IPEC

Using the Power of Neuroplasticity to Help Heal the Brain
Dr. Ryan Cedermark, DC

Vision & Brain Injury
Dr. Briana Larson, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, FNORA

What is SSI and How do I get it ?>
Barbara Bush

We can’t thank you enough for joining us for the 2020 Making Connections Conference! Please remember to take the time and complete the survey under each of the videos you watched.

Congratulations to the winners of our Conference Drawings:

Megan Cunningham – National Association of Child Development (NACD) family subscription for up to 6 family members to MySimplySmarter.com. Simply Smarter is an online tool created by NACD that is designed to tackle learning & attention challenges. The guided program is designed to strengthen your memory, cognition, and more.  (http://www.nacd.org/)  Valued at $719

Jessi Crippin – Package of 4 one hour virtual therapy sessions with Stacey Gesinger, MA, LMFT. (www.StaceyTherapy.com) Valued at $500

Lori Polifonte – Since his severe traumatic brain injury in 2011, Cavin Balaster has been studying neuro-rehabilitation like his life depended on because it did. He partners with survivors and loved ones as a neurotrauma medical advocate, rehabilitation coach, and medical liaison. He works with survivors to prioritize treatments, put in place practices at home, and organize the scope of rehabilitation and development so that everything is more manageable. He is offering 3 initial consultations, which includes neurologic exam over zoom and medical records review. He is not a medical professional. (https://feedabrain.com) Valued at $750

Sarah Sena – Free Children’s Program from Neurogistics which includes the neurotransmitter panel, an intake assessment with our Child Therapist and a review of findings on the laboratory panel with Pam Machemehl Helmly. This is a simple, all- natural approach to brain chemistry balancing. (https://www.neurogistics.com/childrens-program)  Valued at $335.

Beth Hoke – Package of 4 one hour virtual therapy sessions with Bianca Bentzin, LMFT – Associate. (www.beingwellwithbianca.com)  Valued at $400

Stacey Mealy -Telephone interview with medical records review with Dr. Harch with Harch HBOT & a signed copy of “The Oxygen Revolution”.  (hbot.com) Valued at $600

Stephanie Huth – Team Luke Hope for Minds Team Luke Hope for Minds gear – A hoodie, t-shirt, hat,  and bracelet. Valued at $93